This Mediterranean port town has beaches along its coast, a naval base, and an old quarter with narrow streets lined with 18th-century buildings. Located near Marseille.
La Seyne-sur-Mer sits along France’s Mediterranean coast, a 15-minute ferry trip from Toulon. This former shipbuilding center now invites you to explore converted docks along the marina, climb the vertical Pont Levant bridge for views of Toulon’s harbor, and swim at Les Sablettes Beach between the Deux Frères rock formations. In the Tamaris district, 19th-century villas with arched windows and mosaic details line promenades once frequented by wealthy travelers. You’ll find daily markets selling ripe peaches and lavender honey, Cuban music festivals in summer, and murals of octopuses and sailboats brightening building walls. The town pairs its industrial past with pine-shaded trails, art exhibitions in seaside mansions, and family-friendly coves.
Swimming Areas and Coastal Activities
Les Sablettes Beach stretches over a kilometer with soft sand and calm waters, facing two volcanic rocks that rise from the sea. Private beach areas here let you order grilled fish at shaded tables, while public sections have free showers and lifeguards from June to September. Fabrégas Cove, east of the main beach, slopes gently into the water, making it popular with families. For rougher terrain, Verne Cove near Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer has pebbles and pine trees along its edges. Rent paddleboards or jet skis from kiosks near the marina, or join guided dives to explore shipwrecks and reefs.
Shipyards and Maritime Landmarks
The upright Pont Levant bridge, frozen mid-lift since 1988, stands as a steel monument to La Seyne’s shipbuilding era. Climb its staircases to see cranes and dry docks below, along with Toulon’s naval fleet across the bay. Fort Balaguier, a 1636 stone fortress, now holds model ships and exhibits on Mediterranean trade routes. Nearby, former industrial sites have become parks with picnic tables and open-air concerts.
Tamaris: Architecture and Gardens
Developed in the 1800s by Michel Pacha, the Tamaris district merges Ottoman-style domes with neoclassical columns on villas like the Institut Michel-Pacha. Walk the coastal path to see this former research center, its twin towers resembling minarets against the sea. Villa Tamaris, another Pacha project, hosts modern art shows in rooms with marble fireplaces and sea views. Nearby gardens planted with palms and cypress trees lead to abandoned Belle Époque casinos where travelers once played roulette.
Markets and Seasonal Events
Each morning except Mondays, vendors at Allées Louis Blanc market arrange wheels of goat cheese, jars of tapenade, and baskets of figs. Download the town’s street art map to find murals of fishermen and abstract designs downtown. In July, the Bayamo Festival brings salsa bands to outdoor stages, while September’s Couleurs Urbaines event includes puppet shows and hip-hop dances. Take the ferry to Toulon’s Maritime Museum to see antique diving suits and submarine prototypes.
Walks and Natural Areas
Follow the Corniche Merveilleuse trail up Cap Sicié for sweeping sights of Porquerolles Island and Toulon’s harbor. A 30-minute hike leads to Notre-Dame-du-Mai chapel, where you can see storm-warning bells from 1625. Janas Forest, 6 kilometers north, has pine trails connecting to zip lines and rope courses at Accro’Branch Park. Closer to town, Naval Park’s grassy areas include a playground shaped like a pirate ship and shaded tables near fishing boats.
Nearby Destinations
Toulon’s harbor, 10 minutes east by bus, displays submarines at its Maritime Museum and WWII bunkers on Mont Faron. Drive west to Sanary-sur-Mer for pastel houses along a harbor filled with sailboats, or visit Bandol’s vineyards for wine tastings. The Presqu’île de Giens peninsula, 40 minutes away, has walking paths through salt flats and small beaches with clear water. Hyères, 30 minutes east, keeps medieval tower ruins and a palm garden with over 1,000 plant species.
Getting There and Services
Reach La Seyne-sur-Mer by taking bus 8 or 8M from Toulon’s train station, which connects to Marseille and Nice. Hyères-Toulon Airport handles flights from Paris and London, while Marseille Provence Airport has wider international routes. Ferries from Toulon’s port visit Île des Embiez island in 45 minutes. Pick up trail maps and event calendars at the tourist office near the marina, open daily except Sundays.
